G4G again ...

Snappy football wins the day

One day we might learn! G4G outplayed us earlier in the season with some good passing football. For the first 15 minutes on a cold Sunday in February, it looked like we might have figured out how compete but that was blown away as the first half progressed.

Following the previous weeks game, Colts looked a lot more organised to start with and also a little more balanced, but gradually, G4G got more into the game and were finding time on the ball. They didn't then do anything overly complicated except pass the ball at the first opportunity. Some good wing play and an almost perfect cross to the back post, where you would want your striker to stand and they were 1 up.

Knowing what we might face, pregame we had discussed ensuring our visitors weren't afforded space especially in the midfield and that it was important they were closed down quickly. At the same time, we can't afford to overcommit on the tackle and that lead up to the second goal. With G4G then running at the Colts defense, the right winger was allowed to drift behind the defence to the back post. The ball was played through almost in slow motion and despite Eros' best efforts in trying to defend the goal line, he unfortunately ended up conceding a penalty when handling on the line.

Learning points is not to always make the first move in the tackle, getting in the way and asking the opponent to make the move is often a better option. In defending, there were enough defenders back, but someone has to cover the spare man and not ball watch and when trying to block the ball, you need to try and get outside of the post. Even if you cover the ball on the line, chances are you still concede the goal, whereas outside the post, it has a good chance of going out for the corner.

2-0 at half time and there was a chance Colts could get back in the game, but they needed to up their game. Being more disciplined with the shape and players holding better position, plus closing down the opposition would be important. It did improve slightly, but Colts still conceded two more in the second half and mostly it was down to some good passing from G4G and Colts not getting close enough to the opposition.

But as they say, onwards and upwards. Just a few things to get across to them at training. How much time do we have?